DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How to pay less for new garden fencing
New fencing can be surprisingly pricey once you add up posts, panels and labour, but there are sensible ways to trim the bill without ending up with something that leans over in the first winter. Weigh these tips against the real prices below.
The quick version
- Concrete posts and gravel boards cost more up front but outlast timber, saving money over the long run.
- Standard panel sizes are far cheaper than made-to-measure or bespoke designs.
- Most fencing supply and fit carries 20% VAT, so it is baked into the labour and materials.
- Local fencers usually beat national firms on price for the same job.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,152“Cost £1152”
- £1,500“I paid about £1,500 for 6 overlap panels with concrete posts”
- £2,000“Cost just under £2k.”
- £2,880“We had 18 panels with concrete posts and gravel boards fitted for £160 each”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
Fencing prices swing on materials, height and ground. A run of standard lap panels on timber posts sits at the cheap end, while feather-edge or closeboard fencing with concrete posts and gravel boards costs more but lasts longer. Sloping or rocky ground slows the job and pushes labour up. Removing and tipping an old fence adds cost too. Height matters, since taller panels use more material and may need stronger posts. The type of post is often the biggest hidden factor in the whole quote.
How to pay less
- Stick to standard panel sizes rather than bespoke, since off-the-shelf is much cheaper.
- Clear and dispose of the old fence yourself to cut labour and tip fees.
- Get three quotes from local fencers, who tend to undercut national firms on the same work.
- Buy the materials in one order if the fencer allows it, as bulk timber often works out cheaper.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to fit fencing myself?
On flat ground with standard panels, doing it yourself can save the labour cost, though you take on the digging and the risk of wonky posts. On slopes or hard ground, a professional finish is usually worth it. Weigh the saving against the effort and the real prices below.
Are concrete or timber posts better value?
Concrete posts cost more at the start but do not rot, so you are not repairing a collapsed fence in a few years. Timber posts are cheaper up front but need treating and eventually replacing. Over a decade, concrete often works out cheaper.
Who is responsible for the boundary fence?
Your deeds usually show which boundaries are yours, often marked with a T. If a fence is shared, it is worth agreeing costs with your neighbour before work starts. Never assume, as boundary disputes are a common headache.